Westerbeake Gas Generator Rebuild?

G

GilesGG

New Member
Sep 8, 2020
1
Boat Info
2002 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 6.2L
Hi all, I have Sea Ray 340 Dancer, and i did new engines, but have yet to mess with the generator. I am going to try and figure out exactly what is wrong with it, but wanted to see about getting the following answers. It is a 2002 WB Gas Generator. 4.5KW, factory unit with 900 or so hours on it.

Maintain:

What is the item that needs oil or it wont start? In the carb somewhere i heard?
If the unit wont start when trying to hit the start button, besides the starter what could it be( besides the engine it self being bad)
What oil is best to use in this?
What are the things people rebuild on them the most to get them back to working?

If i decide to replace, what brand is best, anyone with a 340 replace theirs and what modifications are needed to change from westerbeake to a say kohler or similar?
 
all gas generators suck......but I rather have a mechanical one like yours over the newer, expensive to fix, FI computer controlled ones - the thing your referring to with oil is the governor - often the carburator and choke is screwed up due to ethanol in the fuel or corrosion/age - rebuild or replace - likewise go through the ignition system - find out what motor is used (westerbeke bought and marinized outside motots) and you can save huge money on simple stuff like dist cap, etc - CARP in grant, fla seems to have the best prices on westerbeke parts.......if you are hell bent on replacing the generator, do yourself a favor and install a small diesel tank and get a diesel generator - they are FAR more reliable and you get the added bonus of no deadly co to worry about...or just get a Honda for the swim platform LOL
 
Tell me your step by step to start the genny , I might be Able to help
 
Same, tell me what you have done or tired s far.

if you will send me a email address I can send you a book on all things to be done.
gpw1001@aol.com
 
Last edited:
GilesGG said:
Hi all, I have Sea Ray 340 Dancer, and i did new engines, but have yet to mess with the generator. I am going to try and figure out exactly what is wrong with it, but wanted to see about getting the following answers. It is a 2002 WB Gas Generator. 4.5KW, factory unit with 900 or so hours on it.

Maintain:

What is the item that needs oil or it wont start? In the carb somewhere i heard?
If the unit wont start when trying to hit the start button, besides the starter what could it be( besides the engine it self being bad)
What oil is best to use in this?
What are the things people rebuild on them the most to get them back to working?

If i decide to replace, what brand is best, anyone with a 340 replace theirs and what modifications are needed to change from westerbeake to a say kohler or similar?
Click to expand...
 
You should find a mechanic that is familiar with WB generators. If it is the same low RPM model I have they are great and very quiet. I have had larger other brands like Onan -Kholer which were fine but 900 hrs is nothing if it’s been maintained- generators work best being used. Good luck.
 
agree with finding a WB trained mechanic in your area. They are super reliable when maintained per the manual. If you are in West Michigan i have a name for you.
Garwood 003.jpg
 
Has anyone heard of flushing a Westerbeke gen incorrectly and getting water into the engine? It looks like that is what I did, not know much about how to flush a gen I had the water on full and then started the gen, it ran fine but once I turned it off and tried to restart it, it struggled and when I checked the oil it was milky. I hope there is a way to save it, it only has 99 hours and looks to be in good shape. P.S. I just bought the boat and have never owned a boat this size or one with a gen-set. A rooky mistake I am sure, but I am hoping not a too costly mistake.
 
Mike Siner said:
Has anyone heard of flushing a Westerbeke gen incorrectly and getting water into the engine? It looks like that is what I did, not know much about how to flush a gen I had the water on full and then started the gen, it ran fine but once I turned it off and tried to restart it, it struggled and when I checked the oil it was milky. I hope there is a way to save it, it only has 99 hours and looks to be in good shape. P.S. I just bought the boat and have never owned a boat this size or one with a gen-set. A rooky mistake I am sure, but I am hoping not a too costly mistake.
Click to expand...

Hopefully you got all of the water out of it right away?
 
Mike Siner said:
Has anyone heard of flushing a Westerbeke gen incorrectly and getting water into the engine? It looks like that is what I did, not know much about how to flush a gen I had the water on full and then started the gen, it ran fine but once I turned it off and tried to restart it, it struggled and when I checked the oil it was milky. I hope there is a way to save it, it only has 99 hours and looks to be in good shape. P.S. I just bought the boat and have never owned a boat this size or one with a gen-set. A rooky mistake I am sure, but I am hoping not a too costly mistake.
Click to expand...
very common on these gennys, better get the water out (pull plugs and rotate to squirt the water out of the cylinders) ASAP, then change the oil and get her started and warm. run under load to try to get the rest of the moisture out. Time is of the essence, rust is starting. generally 24 hours or less is the time frame to get this happening
 
First thing drain the oil and pull the plugs and crank it over until it expelled all the water then fog each cylinder hole with WD-40 or marvel mystery oil etc. filled with fresh oil and run until hot ,then douche the oil 2 to 3 times. That’s if the motor hasn’t seized already if it did ,then you had to tear down and rebuild.
 
Chris-380 said:
very common on these gennys, better get the water out (pull plugs and rotate to squirt the water out of the cylinders) ASAP, then change the oil and get her started and warm. run under load to try to get the rest of the moisture out. Time is of the essence, rust is starting. generally 24 hours or less is the time frame to get this happening
Click to expand...
Beat me to it by minute lol
 
Mike Siner said:
Has anyone heard of flushing a Westerbeke gen incorrectly and getting water into the engine? It looks like that is what I did, not know much about how to flush a gen I had the water on full and then started the gen, it ran fine but once I turned it off and tried to restart it, it struggled and when I checked the oil it was milky. I hope there is a way to save it, it only has 99 hours and looks to be in good shape. P.S. I just bought the boat and have never owned a boat this size or one with a gen-set. A rooky mistake I am sure, but I am hoping not a too costly mistake.
Click to expand...
You can’t flush any engine with 40 pounds plus of city water it’ll push its way past the water pump And pretty much backfill the motor all the way through the manifolds and dump into the cylinder heads. If you’re going to flush that way use less water pressure and shut the water off before you shut the motor off it only takes a few seconds once the motor is shut off for that water to push its way through. you’re better off doing the opposite, water off first then motor relatively quick
 
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